Job Title: Community Support Worker,
Renmore - Community Centre for Older People.
Reporting to: Manager of Community Support Programme
Location: Renmore - Community Centre for Older People, /Other COPE Galway Community Support premises.
Date of Issue: May 2025
COPE Galway's vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life, and our mission is making a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.
COPE Galway Senior Support Services promote healthy independent ageing at home, through a range of nutritional and social supports. Our social supports operate from a community development model of practice, and support the COPE Galway approach, whereby, in our daily work, we focus without judgement and with hope, on our clients' strengths, needs, aspirations and ambitions, based on understanding, respecting and responding.
The Key aim of the Centre is to support the local community to enable healthy ageing and independent living, to reduce the incidence of isolation and generally to promote positive ageing in a friendly, welcoming environment.
The Overall Purpose of Job:
The Community Support Worker is responsible for the operation of the day to day services and supports to be run from the centre. This will be developed under the guidance of the Community Support Team manager in response to the needs of older residents in the community, and older people in the wider area. The role will work as a part of the Community Support team to ensure responsiveness to needs and optimum use of the available COPE Galway facilities. This will include relief cover at other community venues as required by the Community Support Team Manager.
Key areas of work:
Overview of Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* Be responsible for developing and delivering the day to day activities in the community, ensuring that the centre is clean, welcoming and safe to use, under the direction of the Community Support team manager.
* Support consultation with residents around the activities and supports required to meet their needs and ensure optimum use of the centre and other facilities in the community operated by COPE Galway.
* Ensure all Health & Safety requirements are adhered to.
* Ensure all day to day administrative, financial and reporting duties are fulfilled, as required.
* Work as part of the wider Community Support Team which can include CE workers and volunteers in the delivery of the services for older people.
* Link with the development department to best promote the service
* Operate the service within budget and contribute to income generation opportunities, in particular grant income
More specifically:
Direct Work with Older People:
* Optimise the use of the community centre to ensure a wide range of activities and services which meet the needs of the older people in the surrounding areas
* Provide one to one support to older people living in the area, and immediate community who are isolated or at risk of isolation
* Provide/ arrange for practical supports including prescription collection, shopping etc. as appropriate
* Link people in with our befriending project as appropriate
* Promote client participation in the service by organising and encouraging individuals to play a central part in the day to day activities
* Work closely with your COPE Galway Community Support Team colleagues to progress issues collectively which will improve quality of life for the residents, including supporting the community to advocate for initiatives / measures to support an age friendly environment
* Be respectful, courteous and patient with clients at all times and in all circumstances and maintain professional boundaries.
* Be vigilant regarding the safety and wellbeing of all clients.
* Be open to working with persons presenting with challenging behaviour/ mental health issues
* Work in accordance with the Vulnerable Adults, Elder Abuse and Child Protection policies and from a Trauma Informed Practice perspective
Working in a team
* Be part of a supportive working environment for Community Support colleagues, CE workers, and volunteers.
* Be open to the culture of learning and development.
* Contribute to good team spirit, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
* Bring any issues to your line manager in a timely manner.
Working with External Agencies:
* Liaise with voluntary and statutory agencies as appropriate in relation to the wellbeing of those availing of the service, for example, the City Council, the Public Health Nurses, and Community Mental Health teams and others to advocate for appropriate services and supports.
Contribution to the Service:
* Contribute fully in the effective day to day running of the service, and actively and positively contribute to operational meetings and follow through on decisions agreed upon.
* Support the upkeep of the communal areas, including associated gardens, availing of corporate volunteering opportunities
* Progress objectives in accordance with the strategic plan and in developing a service which promotes positive ageing.
* Maintain confidentiality in relation to personal information shared by the clients to ensure that discussions and decisions in relation to the service and the organisation are kept confidential.
* Keep abreast of developments and best practice in relation to working with Older People.
* Contribute to and attend training sessions, seminars and courses, as well as maintaining knowledge of legislation, policy and procedures.
* Be aware of one's own developmental/training needs and bring these to the attention of management.
* Assist in reviewing the role and operation of the service in order to improve and develop the service.
* Participate in supervision and appraisals with the manager of the service.
* Undertake any other duties reasonably required of you in this role
Health and Safety
Service related Health & Safety:
* Ensure that Health and Safety policy and procedures as per the COPE Galway Health and Safety Statement are fully adhered to.
* Maintain HACCP requirements
* Carry out Health and Safety duties specifically allocated to you.
* Attend Health & Safety meetings as required
Personal Health & Safety:
Employees are obliged to:
* Take all reasonable care for your own safety (in particular in respect of working in a community setting), health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions.
* Co-operate with your employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
* Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing safety, health and welfare required.
* Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger.
* Abide by all guidelines and protocols necessary to protect yourself, your colleagues and clients from contracting or passing on any infectious conditions.
The duties outlined in this job description may be subject to review in the future
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have a proven interest, empathy and experience in working with Older People or with vulnerable populations. The successful candidate will be friendly, welcoming and will work within a small team with a "can do" approach, enthusiasm, patience and understanding, flexibility and creativity, in support of positive ageing.
Essential Requirements
Education:
* A good standard of education, preferably in Social Care, Community Development or related field.
Experience:
* Experiencing of working with Older People/ other vulnerable groups
* Experience of working in a community setting
Skills and Abilities:
* A proven ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people
* An ability to encourage and promote positive community spirit.
* An ability to foster positive relations with colleagues and other professional agencies.
* A proven ability to be organised in one's approach to work and to follow through on tasks and projects
* Strong Computer skills/ administration and ability to work with multiple organizational computer systems
* An ability to work within a small motivated team
Desirable Requirements
* Experience of running a similar type facility
* Experience of working with persons with mental health issues
Terms and Conditions
Type of Contract: fixed term - 6 month
Hours of Work: 18.5 hours per week
Salary Scale: Point 1-12, starting on Point 1 €31,493 pro rata
Annual Leave: 24 days per annum pro rata
Method of Pay: Monthly by credit transfer
Location: Renmore - Community Centre for Older People #J-18808-Ljbffr